China supports inclusive peace process in Afghanistan -- envoy

Video:China supports an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan and is ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks, says Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN. (Xinhua)

China supports Afghanistan in its efforts to safeguard national unity and political stability, and calls on all parties in Afghanistan to put national interests first and consolidate unity, says Zhang Jun.

UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China supports an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan and is ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks, said a Chinese envoy on Thursday.

The Afghan government and the Taliban have prepared the ground for the start of intra-Afghan negotiations by releasing prisoners. China appreciates this move and calls on all factions to reach agreement on the arrangements for intra-Afghan talks on the country's future political architecture, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

China has kept close communications with other partners, especially countries in the region, to promote the intra-Afghan dialogue process. China is ready to provide a platform for intra-Afghan talks and will continue to work with others through various mechanisms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan dialogue, he told the UN Security Council.

An Afghan security force member stands guard at the site of a roadside bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, on May 30, 2020. (Photo by Mohammad/Xinhua)

China supports Afghanistan in its efforts to safeguard national unity and political stability, and calls on all parties in Afghanistan to put national interests first and consolidate unity, said Zhang.

China welcomes last month's political agreement between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah that ended the political impasse stemming from last year's presidential election. China expects to see the normal functioning of the government as early as possible, he said.

"China encourages the main political forces in Afghanistan to seize the opportunity, bridge their differences, and break new ground in national reconciliation and reconstruction at an early date." ■